Clayton leaves it late as Reds suffer defeat

Accrington Stanley's Trophy hopes are kept in Check as Max Clayton nets a late winner for Blackpool

BLACKPOOL’S Max Clayton scored the winner two minutes from time to inflict the first defeat on Stanley in the Northern Group B of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Stanley hit the woodwork twice and created a host of chances but suffered a late blow and couldn’t build on their first group victory over Middlesbrough Under 21s.

Stanley made 10 changes from the team which beat Forest Green on Saturday with only goalkeeper Aaron Chapman starting against ‘Pool and five youth team players on the bench.

Gary Bowyer also made wholesale changes – his side drew and then lost on penalties to Wigan in their first Checkatrade game.

Stanley were frustrated in the early stages as they missed a string of chances against the League One side.

The lively Mehki McLeod had the first shot on three minutes, with his effort from outside the box deflected just wide, while Erico Sousa clipped the bar from a free kick on 20 minutes.

Leeds loanee Mallik Wilks drilled an effort wide while McLeod forced Chris Mafoumbi into a strong save as Stanley strove to make the breakthrough.

Pool’s efforts had been limited, with Clayton rifling a shot just wide and Scott Quigley seeing an effort blocked but it was the Seasiders who struck first.

A Pool corner was only cleared as far as Danny Philliskirk – son of former Burnley player Tony – on the edge of the area and he hit the ball into the bottom corner of the net on 33 minutes.

However Stanley were quick to reply on 38 minutes when a cross from McLeod found the head of the diving Sousa who guided his effort into the net for his first Reds goal.

Andy Taylor hit an effort just wide for Blackpool and Chapman denied Kelvin Mellor as it finished all-square at half-time.

Wilks came out strongly for Stanley after the break whipping a shot over the bar but Blackpool should have scored on 49 minutes when Clayton fired wide with the goal beckoning.

It was end-to-end but Stanley still created the more clear-cut chances with Brighton loan defender Tom Dallinson narrowly off-target while Wilks raced onto Callum Johnson’s superb ball but could only fire wide.

The impressive Sousa fed through Wilks on 65 minutes and, for the second time, the post denied Stanley a goal with Mafoumbi beaten.

McLeod forced a save out of the Pool keeper while Chapman pushed a way a Nathan Delfouneso header and sub Jonny Edwards forced Mafoumbi into action in an action packed final 10 minutes.

However the home side paid for missed chances when Clayton scored the winner from close range, his effort going in off the post with two minutes remaining and penalties looming.

There was still time for Callum Cooke to hit the woodwork for the visitors as Blackpool picked up the £10,000 for a group win.

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